[Audio] / [Action] By the Bay

[isadragon]

[Regaining consciousness was odd for the high school boy. After having experienced, perhaps the worst thing in his life, his new setting felt serene, majestic, nothing like where he was before.]

Did I…die? [Again.]

[He wondered. Ryuuji didn't notice the box on his chest before sitting up. After having felt it land on his lap did he pay any attention to it.

Okay. This is weird. First a hotel that tries to kill you and now a starter kit to this Genessia city.

Then it hit him.]

LUKE!

[The teen was almost certain the redhead was with him, but it was hard to tell because he went in and out of consciousness due to being sick. It was night…and he really didn't remember any of what happened. Maybe he did die again. Either way the redhead was nowhere to be found, maybe he should utilize this videophone.

Ryuuji found himself outside of the Bay, though still horribly confused.]

[Transmission]

So this…Genessia place…is nowhere near California, is it--or Japan for that matter?

[Not that I've ever heard of Genessia either.]

And has anyone seen a red haired, fair skinned guy? He has green eyes and is about 165cm tall? His name is Luke. I was kind of…with him before I came here.

[I hope he's okay.]

Sorry for bothering you with my questions. I just have no idea what's going on.


[(Luke)]

[The redhead had awakened with a start.

Although his memories were fuzzy, his thoughts were racing. Where had he been? What had he been doing? What…had happened?]

…

[Reading the pamphlet answered the question of where he currently was. The other items were surprisingly informative, as well (it was a good thing there were instructions with the device). His chest tightened as it sunk in. He was in yet another strange place…?

Then, suddenly, without a thought--]

Takasu!

[Ryuuji- Was he okay? Last Luke remembered, he'd been incredibly sick. He needed to find him, damn it! Within minutes he was up, feet moving before he'd even consciously told them to. It wasn't long afterward that he heard a familiar voice. Steps freezing, he listened to the words, eyes widening as they landed on the source. The dark-haired teenager was talking on the weird device, and standing only feet away.]

You're okay!

[Ryuuji may have not needed to use the network had he realized they were brought together, just not at the same time. After living through the Californian hotel, the change of pace seemed…less dangerous.]

Comments

[headfons]

[He can't even express how much he appreciates that. For a moment, he actually looks...a little surprised.]

Takasu...

[Then, he gives him a smile- a genuine one, that is really the only thing that could come close to...really expressing his appreciation.]

The same goes for you, you know? We'll get through whatever this place has to throw at us. [Smile grows.] Together.

[isadragon]

[That's what Ryuuji wanted to hear. Good or bad, as long as you had someone to help you through, there will always be some light to look forward to.]

You're a strong guy, Luke. [Problems aside.]

It's because of you that I'm still here. I might not be able to fight, but I'll do what I can.

For now we should probably conform to Genessia until we can figure out what's going on.

[headfons]

[This causes him to blush lightly before awkwardly reaching to scratch the back of his head.]

Heh...Not really. I just...do what I have to when it comes to protecting those I care about!

[Then, he sniles.] Let's both do what we can, then. I think you're strong, too. In spite of everything, you've remained sane. That alone takes a lot.

[Nodding, he places a hand on his hip and looks down, steps pausing.] Well, I don't plan on...conforming. In the end, this isn't my home. I'll treat it like nothing more than it is- and that's a visit.

[isadragon]

[It was a nice thought, but Ryuuji still didn't feel anymore useless than he had before. He can't just go with the flow at the drop of the hat. He needed time to process these things.]

Heh. I don't know. I mean--I guess, but I can't just sit on what's happened. I can't move forward if I do.

[In reality he was still sitting on it, but he was doing his best to move forward anyway. His progress was stunted and hesitant, but otherwise there.]

I'm just saying we'll have an easier time getting what we want if we don't resist. No one says we can't snoop around while we do what they want us to.

[headfons]

...Moving forward, huh? [Luke looked down a moment. Slowly, a smile crept onto his lips.] Heh.

[Ryuuji was seriously amazing, wasn't he? Luke shook his head, giving the darker-haired teen a light grin and very light slap to the back.] We're both going to have to move forward and stay strong. What happened to us will never just go away, so all we can do is move on.

[Moving the hand from Ryuuji's back to his own chin in thought, he stared down at the ground.] And, yeah...I've learned that, in some case, resisting can do more damage, than good. [As much as it sucked, Ryuuji had a very valid point.] Yeah, we'll...keep looking around and asking questions, while following the advice of the pamphlet?

[isadragon]

[That was more the mindset Ryuuji wanted to Luke to have. He already had enough burden from his world, and then the next. They should do their best to avoid adding onto that here. If possible.]

They gave us money to start out with, so we should find a place with it.

[Ruuji doesn't really want to sleep outside. He felt far safer behind walls...well not so much after the hotel, but it was better than being completely exposed.]

[headfons]

[Same went for Luke- he wanted Ryuuji to not have to stress or worry about anything. He had his mind set on making sure Ryuuji didn't have to...do anything extra, if he could help it. Ryuuji was one of his closest friends, in that moment. Well, really, his...only friend in that place, that he knew of.]

Alright. [Nodding, he continued on the way. Luke felt the same way. It was only natural to feel safer when given a shelter, right?]

Wonder what kind of places they have to live in, here? [He wondered aloud.]

[isadragon]

It doesn't really say where we can find these places. We'll have to look around.

[Or ask. But he was fine looking for a place.]

[headfons]

Heh, yeah I noticed that, too.

[Oh, look, apartments!] ... [Once they were closer, he was looking around. He didn't see a sign, or anything otherwise that gave information.]

Wonder if we're supposed to just...find someone and ask about getting one... [He was thinking out loud.] Heh, this is kind of weird. I've never even considered what it'd be like to get my own place to live.

Even back on Auldrant, I spent years with the fact that my next home was gonna be the castle, once I married Natalia, engraved in my mind. Guess it's times like this that I realize just how...little independence I grew up with...

[He didn't sound happy about that fact.]